"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2Corinthians 4:18

Sweet Sixteen

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Coincidence? You Decide.

Yesterday I posted this girl's picture and I said we were going to try to find out her name because she's been such an integral part of Nadia's life in the orphanage. I also wanted to bring her some gifts to show our appreciation for all she's done for our daughter. At this afternoon's visit, we were able to give her the gift bag and ask her her name. (All of this done mostly in gestures since we didn't have Jim's Blackberry translator with us).

She was very appreciate of the presents and seemed a little overwhelmed by the gesture.

So, then we asked her what her name was and she said, "Irina". I had to ask her to repeat it to make sure my ears were really hearing this incredible connection to our daughter. After she repeated it, I told her that Nadia's name was Nadia Irina Ferguson. She started to tear up and then when I told her that the birth mother's name was Irina too, she had to look away as the emotion of the moment swept over her. Me too. Our boys couldn't get over it and said right away, "Mom, you've got to blog about this!" If you haven't read the story of how we decided on Nadia's middle name, you can read about it here. http://seeingtheupsideofdown.blogspot.com/2010/06/whats-in-name.html

Once again, I can't finish a post without more pictures of Nadia.

How CUTE is this girl in a hat???

I had to end with this brilliantly beautiful flower we saw as we were walking along the path to the Cossack Village. It's not along the main path and so if you didn't take the time to take the road less travelled you'd miss it. It's beauty really took all of us by surprise! It made me think of these children we've seen tucked away in orphanages well off the beaten path. You have to go out of the way to find them, but when you do, you are instantly taken aback by their hidden potential, beauty, and intense need for families.

I had a little boy who was no more than 3 or 4 come over to me as his groupa was passing by and give me a hug. I totally lost it! He KNEW we were there to bring another child into our family and it broke my heart in two to not be the one taking him home as well. There are SO many children in this orphanage who look at us when we're playing with Nadia with that "knowing" look in their eyes. It's almost too much to take. So we smile and wave at them and PRAY that someone will come and bring them ALL home to be part of a family!

14 comments:

Another poignant post! Kristin, I think you are officially "gloriously ruined" over the orphan crisis. I pray your testimony will reach a family that will say "yes". I pray that Nadia will be an ambassador to the outside world for the children she is saying goodbye to.Meps-The shots of Nadia with her bonnet on are so sweet!

I know the tears you cry for the ones left behind. Oh it's too much to bear sometimes. Nadia reminds me so much of Anna in our orphanage! She's so beautiful and no....no coincidence about the name...another divine moment. God is watching over you all.

I love reading your posts every day! We are almost done with our dossier and hoping to be in Ukraine by mid-summer so seeing what the process is like through you blog has been awesome...and very helpful as we're in the thick of fund raisers and stress. It's a wonderful reminder of why we're going through this. Thank you!

Okay....not sure how much more of this I can take. Just when you think there are no more tears left, they come flooding back. Maybe it is all my crazy hormones.... I want to adopt them all too....Can I convince Vic????

Love when God does cool stuff like that! Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm.actually things that make you go HIMMMMMMMMMMMMM...Want you all home so badly, but what you are experiencing is priceless and the lives you are touching thru your blog sharing is incredible, and oh how your boys hearts will be changed forever!!

What an amazing story! It is so touching to think about how God weaved that name into your heart and mind, and how the two women who came before you had the same name. wow...that is just a precious link.LOVE the photos!!!! She is darling!

that is clearl a GOD moment :) So happy Nadia has had caregiver who truly loves her. I pray each day that Taya has someone who treasures her until we can bring her home. I think your sweet baby girl is the cutest thing ever in her little hats :)

I'm just catching up! We are at the beach and I've just gotten internet service. My husband asked why I was so eager to get online and responded with "I'm missing the new Nadia pics!"

Kristin, what an amazing story of the caregiver named Irina. It humbles me that the Creator of the Universe cares about even the little details of our lives.

I LOVE the photo of the flower and what it represents. Praise God you found your little flower now gloriously blooming in your arms. It breaks my heart hearing about that little boy. I know so many have been and will be inspired to adopt because of your story.

"To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways: we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness. It should rather be an expression of breathless expectation."- Oswald Chambers

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About Me

I am a Northern Gal transplanted in the South for over 20 years now. I have a wonderful husband who is the best partner God could have given me. I have 4 terrific kiddos--3 born from my womb and one born in my heart through adoption. Join me as I chronicle our lives as newly adoptive parents and as we navigate our new normal of having 2 daughters with Down syndrome.